LIVERPOOL’S Chinese business community has organised its own trade mission to China.

A nine-day June visit to eastern China taking in Beijing, Shanghai and the city of Linyi in Shandong Province has been arranged by Liverpool Chinese Business Association (LCBA) and Jack Cai of Dong Sheng UK Trading group on Liverpool Innovation Park.

Mr Cai’s company has traded in Linyi, which has a 10.2m population, for two years and he said: “Linyi is quite an opportunity for business development.”

Situated between Shanghai and Beijing Linyi is a key distribution hub and Mr Cai said its municipal government can offer assistance with projects, land or sourcing joint partners for prospective investors.

Alan Seatwo of LCBA added: “Linyi is second level compared with Beijing and Shanghai.

“The advantage is that it is still quite new to western investment. Linyi also has a well developed logistics sector and is the third biggest wholesale market in China.”

The Business Exploration and Investment Tour will take place between June 4-13 and includes a stop in Beijing before travelling to Linyi and on to Shanghai.

There are 12 delegate slots and four LCBA members have already signed up, but Mr Seatwo said: “We welcome non-Chinese businesses to join.”